And VOR recognizes Stalin’s contributions. Carl:
www.vor.ru/English/homeland/home_040.htmlOur Homeland [The Voice of Russia]
HOLY WAR
By Tatyana Shvetsova
Starting on September 1st 1939 with Nazi Germany’s attack against Poland,
World War Two gradually sucked into its direful vortex 61 countries – in
other words – 80% of the entire population of the world. Its
fire-brandishing tornado swept across vast territories of Europe, Asia and
Africa, engulfing oceanic expanses, reaching the shores of Alaska and
Novaya Zemlya – in the north, the Atlantic coast – in the west, the Kuril
isles– in the east, the borders of Egypt, India and Australia - in the
south.
World War Two not only predetermined the fate of individual states and
peoples, but whole continents, too. One of the indisputable results of our
victory was that its aftershocks dealt a blow to the colonial system that
existed for 400 years and to a great extent determined the existence of
Asia, Africa and Latin America, leading to its collapse.
This is why victory in that war was, without a doubt, an event of profound
geopolitical magnitude.
The most significant events and decisive battles of that war unfolded on
the territory of our country. Our people carried the brunt of the
hardships the war brought with it. We paid dearly for the long-awaited
victory – World War Two claimed 27 million lives of our compatriots.
For all of us it was the Great Patriotic War. Great not so much due to its
scale and purport, but rather because history of the 20th century had
never before witnessed such heroic, such relentless will to succeed
evinced by an entire nation, every man, woman and child…
Here are recollections of how the war started, shared by some of the young
teenage Muscovites, who were later destined to experience the brunt of the
hardships that befell our Homeland.
“This was on June 22nd 1941, we were returning home from a grad party at
school,” recalls Muscovite Yelena Murina. “There used to be radio
loudspeakers on posts … so I suddenly saw a crowd of people standing near
one and listening to something. I stopped in curiosity. It turned out they
were listening to the announcement that war had broken out…”
“My mother said to me: “WAR!,” recalls Muscovite Yevgeny Kirillov. “An
unfamiliar, strange sensation came over me… Afterwards, there were the
bombs, artillery fire…”
“At the time we were convinced we would make quick work of the fascists,”
says Muscovite Polina Glazova. “Two-three months, a maximum of four – and
the war would be over. Then we would start crushing the enemy on its
territory already. Of course, we really had no knowledge what war was all
about...”
For war against our country the German command had elaborated the
“Barbaross”. “Barbaross” means ‘red bearded’. This was the nickname of
Emperor Friedrik I, whose rule fell on the years 1150 – 1190. It wasn’t
accidental that his nickname was borrowed for the plan. This was an
allusion to the former imperial might of the German nation, that in its
time had rallied Europe into a unity and ruled it, in one way or another,
for several centuries.
Forming the strategic basis of the “Barbaross” plan was the theory of the
‘blitzkrieg’, or ‘lightning-quick’ war, which served its purpose so well
in the war in the West. The plan presupposed an annihilation of Russia in
the course of a swift campaign to last a maximum of five months.
Acknowledged as the principal strategic objectives were Moscow, Leningrad,
the Central industrial region and Donetsk coal-fields.
The operation to seize Moscow stood apart. In the final count it was
believed that with the capture of Moscow the entire war would have been
won.
Hitler’s command was so sure the “Barbaross” plan could never fail, that
approximately as of spring 1941 they began elaborating further plans of
assuming world supremacy.
Special staff headquarters trains were the venue of master scenarios where
crack Nazi armies encircled the entire globe in a grip of iron…
In the logbook of the Wehrmacht Supreme Headquarters there is an entry on
February 17th 1941 stating Hitler’s demand that “…after the end of the
eastern campaign it is imperative to make provisions for the capture of
Afghanistan and organize an assault against India.” In India it was
planned to close ranks with the allied Japanese forces.
Stemming from these directives by Hitler, the Supreme headquarters
embarked on elaborate planning of future Wehrmacht operations. After the
defeat of the Soviet Armed forces the plan presupposed the capture of
English colonial territories and a number of independent countries in the
Mediterranean, in Africa, and in the Middle East. As a follow-up to this
came the incursion into the British Isles and unfolding military action
against America. Afterwards, jointly with Japanese militarist circles they
nurtured plans of seizing the entire American continent.
According to the Nazis, the keystone to these ambitious plans of world
dominance was the success of the blitzkrieg against our country – the USSR
at the time.
The Nazis were convinced in their imminent victory. This conviction
stemmed from the acknowledged military might and excellent field training
of Hitler’s army, which had already seized twelve countries of Europe
prior to its assault on the USSR. The Nazis hadn’t really come up against
any opposition in any of these countries, with the exception of
Yugoslavia, Greece and Albania. The Wehrmacht was in the zenith of its
bodeful successes. The entire industrial powerhouse of the occupied
countries was working on Hitler’s Germany. There was more than enough to
lead one into a state of euphoria…
Around 4 a.m. in the morning on June 22nd 1941 Nazi Germany, in breach of
the existing non-aggression pact between it and the USSR, lasting ten
years, violated the borders of our country. This country was dealt a
mighty blow from an accumulated force of 190 divisions, numbering almost 5
million troops, thousands of tanks, guns and machine-guns, planes, and
almost 250 ships.
According to the plans of the Nazis, the Soviet Union was to be broken up
and destroyed. Four German provinces were to be formed on its territory.
Moscow, Leningrad, Kiev and many other cities were to be blown up, flooded
and wiped off the face of the earth. The Nazi command stressed that the
actions of the German army were to be particularly unmerciful. It demanded
total annihilation of not only Red Army soldiers, but the civilian
population of the USSR, too. Soldiers and officers of the Wehrmacht were
given special refreshers, where it was said: “…kill every Russian, Soviet,
without the slightest hesitation, be they old man, or woman, or child,
girl or boy – by doing so, you will save yourself, ensure the future of
your family and bring glory to your name.”
The “Barbaross” plan presumed a surprise attack along several directions
with the use of tank, mechanized divisions and aviation, with the purpose
of disengaging, surrounding and destroying the main forces of the Red
Army, located in the western part of the USSR. Afterwards, plans
presupposed a swift incursion inland.
On a vast area of the frontline – from the Barents Sea in the north-west
to the Black Sea in the south there unfolded a spate of borderline
battles. The enemy was much stronger. Besides, they had the added
advantage of a surprise attack. This is why at the outset of the war the
Red Army was always on the defensive, and forced to retreat instead of
attempting to advance. However, even in these conditions, there were
frequent manifestations of true valor.
The first example that comes to mind is, of course, the defense of Brest
fortress, in the West of the country. It was one of the first to take upon
itself the enemy’s blows. This is what a participant of the events around
the defense of Brest fortress, Hero of the Soviet Union Major Gavrilov
recalls:
“On June 22nd 1941 Hitler’s forces suddenly launched a barrage of
artillery and mortar. At the time a major part of our garrison’s
subdivisions were away on exercises. There was but one regiment remaining
in the fortress itself. The Hitlerites had sent several divisions to crush
us. The situation was extremely difficult. The Nazis issued an ultimatum,
demanding we raise a white flag and surrender. We replied with gunfire and
displayed the slogan: “We shall die for our Motherland, but we shall never
surrender!”
Even after a month of fighting, the Brest fortress held out, engaging a
significant part of the enemy’s forces and wearing them out. As for Major
Gavrilov, the Germans were only able to seize him on the 33rd day, wounded
and shell-shocked. They looked at him in stunned admiration, for he was
all covered in blood-soaked bandages and could barely stand… The Major’s
incredible heroism produced so great an impression on them they decided
against executing him, and instead took him prisoner.
Luckily, Major Gavrilov survived and was able to return home after he was
liberated.
Eight days after the beginning of the war, on June 30th, the State Defense
Committee was summoned to take on complete responsibility for all state
affairs. It was chaired by Joseph Stalin. The Committee adopted a
directive for all near-frontline regions. This was a combat program of
action of our people in the Great Patriotic War, a program of mobilization
of all material and spiritual resources of the country for the purpose of
defeating the enemy.
On July 7th Joseph Stalin addressed the nation, referring to everyone:
“Brothers and Sisters! The treacherous military aggression of Hitler’s
Germany against our Motherland, begun on June 22nd, continues… Despite the
heroic resistance of the Red Army, the enemy still advances…
Our Motherland is in grave danger. This is a case of life and death for
our Soviet state, the peoples of the USSR; our free and independent
existence is placed on the line.
We must immediately convert our entire life and work onto military rails,
with the interests of the front coming first and foremost in all matters,
with the sole purpose of crushing the enemy.
Comrades, our strength is invincible. The brazen enemy must soon receive
convincing proof of this… All the resources of the population – to the
defeat of the common enemy! Forward! In the name of Victory!”
As Stalin was saying these words, the enemy had already seized Lithuania,
part of Latvia, Byelorussia and Ukraine. The principal event of those days
was the defensive battle on the outskirts of the western Russian town of
Smolensk. The relentless resistance of our forces in this battle forced
the enemy to revert to defense tactics. Thus, Hitler’s plan of a
lightening-swift war was entirely frustrated. However, our country paid a
heavy price for this in almost 310 thousand dead and captured.
In the Far North the German army group “Norway” was streaking towards
Murmansk, yet was stopped in its tracks. The frontline here was stable
right to the end of the war. Moreover, in certain areas the enemy never
did cross our border.
In the North-West the enemy’s principle target was Leningrad (initially,
and today – St.Petersburg). The German army group “North” laid siege to
Leningrad in early September 1941, isolating it from the rest of the
country. All that was left was the so-called ‘road of life’ across Lake
Ladoga, along which Russia’s Northern capital received the help it was in
vital need of. On the city’s northern side, Hitler’s allies – the Finnish
forces had laid siege. Thus, there began the 900-day long siege of
Leningrad that claimed 800,000 lives.
In the south the Germans, despite the stubborn resistance of our troops,
seized Kiev, besieged Odessa, cut into the Crimea and laid siege to
Sebastopol. The defenders of these cities fought stoically. Odessa had to
be surrendered, with the troops redeployed from there to Sebastopol.
Scoring such major successes, on September 30th 35 German divisions
launched an operation to seize Moscow. The enemy succeeded in breaking
through to Moscow, yet their advance was temporarily cut short by the Red
Army. In November the enemy renewed the attempt to seize Moscow.
Field-Marshal von Bock wrote in his command to attack Moscow:
“Soldiers! Moscow lies before you! In just two years all the capitals of
the continent have been laid at your feet. All but Moscow… Force it to bow
in submission! Moscow is a breeze! Advance! Know no fear!”
Hitler’s army bombed Moscow incessantly. Yet, there was no panic in the
city. There was strict order. Everyone who could participated in the
defense effort. The partisans were also actively fighting the enemy.
In the days of the great battle on the outskirts of Moscow the soldiers of
the tank brigades were giving a solemn oath:
“We, guardsmen of the First tank brigade, solemnly swear to defend our
Motherland to our last drop of blood. The hour of the enemy’s final defeat
draws nearer. Onward, to Victory! Death to the German invaders!”
The Nazis were already distributing among their soldiers and officers
invitations to their parade on Moscow’s Red Square. They were 30
kilometers away from the Kremlin… Our situation was critical. At that
moment an effective propaganda action was called for. The country’s
leadership decided to hold a traditional parade on Red Square in honor of
the 24th anniversary of the October socialist revolution. This parade did
take place. Addressing those gathered, Joseph Stalin said, in part:
“Comrades, we are forced to mark the 24th anniversary of the October
revolution in severe circumstances… We have temporarily lost a number of
regions. The enemy is on the very threshold of Moscow and Leningrad…
However, despite our temporary failures, our army and Navy are rebuffing
the onslaughts of the enemy along the entire length of the frontline,
incurring their severe losses. Our country is one united combat unit,
acting jointly with our army and fleet to secure a decisive victory over
the German invaders.
The entire world is watching you as the sole force capable of destroying
the hordes of Nazi invaders. The peoples of Europe are looking to you as
their only liberators. May you be worthy of the great liberating mission.
You are waging a just, liberating war. In this war, may you be inspired by
the valor of your great forefathers: Alexander Nevsky, Dmitry Donskoy,
Alexander Suvorov, Mikhail Kutuzov…
Onwards, to a complete defeat of the German invaders! Death to the German
invaders! Long Live our glorious Motherland, its freedom and independence!
Forward, to Victory!”
Straight from the parade the troops went off to the frontline - to fight
for Moscow.
And we won that battle! As Russia’s great Marshal Georgy Zhukov, one of
those to whom we owe our victory in the battle of Moscow, later recalled,
our reconnaissance units had done an excellent job. They managed to glean
information as to where the principal onslaught on Moscow would be coming
from. It was in that direction that the defense lines were particularly
reinforced.
“Hitler’s troops, of course, never anticipated such strong resistance on
our part,” Georgy Zhukov said of the battle of Moscow. “Moreover, the
further they advanced, the more dogged and resolute this resistance was.
And by the time the enemy ventured onto the approaches to Moscow,
understandably, every single person of ours put up an even greater
resistance. The enemy’s losses were growing with rapid speed. In actual
fact, they lost some of their best here… The Nazis suffered tremendous
losses without anything to show for it. They had miscalculated, thinking
we were incapable of defending our capital. And they had overestimated
their own strength.
I believe that the battle of Moscow was a very important victory from a
strategic aspect. It actually laid the groundwork for the ensuing final
defeat of the Nazi hordes.”